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Chapter 12: The hardest apology

Minutes after Sasuke left, Hinata also finally decided to leave the gymnasium. She was walking slowly down the stairs when she noticed the white wall clock. It says 5:30 pm.

Oh no! It's already five thirty?! She didn't notice the time. She didn't have a watch. Tha…that Deidara guy, I forgot Neji nii-san asked him to walk with me on the way home… I'm thirty minutes late! Wonder if he waited for me though…DX she panicked, she's always been forgetful. What a shame it would be facing this unknown guy, she made him wait for half an hour.

Near the parking lot…

I think I'm gonna pee, un! Deidara looked at his watch. 5:30. Wow. Thirty minutes have passed since he waved goodbye to Sasori and waited here beside the parking lot. He didn't notice the time quickly passing by. He's too nervous. This tense feeling started ever since Hyuuga Neji asked him to do this certain favor. He didn't know they were cousins. A part of him rushed in excitement, but not that it mattered.

He considered Neji as one of his closest friends last year when they walked home together after every dismissal. But now that he finally got his hands on a driver's license, he didn't bother to walk even though his house is just located meters away from their school. At first he was worried that Neji would walk home alone now that he's got a car, but he recently found out that he now walks with his cousin so that surely made him glad.

He also recently found out that Neji's cousin's name is Hinata.

"So it's a girl then, what year, un? What does she look like?"
"Umm, unfortunately I believe you already met her."
"Really, un? Where?"
"You'll never forget what she looks like. You spilled Sasuke's drink over her shirt a while ago, remember?"
"WHAT?! That's HER?!"
"Yup. But anyway, would you still do the favor?"
"…""It's okay if you don't do it. But as you can see, I really trust you on—"
"I'll do it."

Flashbacks. It's already 5:35, but still no Hinata. He felt his heart beat faster. The thought that she'll appear in front of him sooner or later, the thought that he'll walk her home—wait, he won't walk her home, he'll drive her home. He's got a car remember? But a car would be a very big spoiler. That would mean he'll be able to drive her home faster, and it would mean he won't be able to spend time with her a little longer. But what's he thinking doesn't really matter. He knows she's angry at him coz of what happened a while ago. That's what matters.

The spilled drink dammit! I need to apologize to her… That's what decided to tell her as soon as he sees her. That's also what Sasori advised a while ago. That way, she'll know he didn't mean it and it would somehow change the image she sees on him. But what if he couldn't say it? What if he stutters? What if nothing comes out of his throat? He feels like he's gonna faint any minute now, and she's not even here standing before him. It was weird, girls never made him this nervous. A lot of girls trip over him, but none of them made him this nervous. He used to date a lot of girls, he was never shy. In fact, whenever he likes someone, he always manage to pull out a lot of self confidence and manage to talk straight to them without an inch of nervousness and a pinch of slightest tense. The way he felt made him think. This girl's different, but not that it mattered.

"gasp. gasp. I… I'm so sorry, gasp. I… I didn't notice the time… You must be Deidara..." Her heart was beating so fast. She ran all the way from the gymnasium to the parking lot. She's not sure who the hell is Deidara, but she spotted this blonde college student, the only remaining student, alongside the parking lot standing, near the bench where she placed her books and her shoulder bag. Long, blonde hair. That rang a bell. She's not sure if she had seen him before, but the moment she approached him, she knew she'll soon find the answer.

"…" He heard a faint voice from behind. Time stopped, his heart stopped. That must be Hinata. But wait, what did she mean by 'you must be Deidara?' Haven't she already noticed him from afar? He looked back, he was right. It's the girl from the previous incident at the cafeteria. It's Hinata.

Both eyes met. He felt his whole face blush. Apologize, apologize, apologize… He knew it. He'll freeze the moment he sees her. He couldn't find his voice box. Nothing came out of his mouth.

"…" He's… He's… He's… He's the guy from before… the one who stained my shirt, the one from the cafeteria, Itachi's rival? That's why he's familiar… so he's Deidara…

"Umm, so you're Deidara… I saw you at the cafeteria a while ago… Umm, nice to meet you… I'm Hinata…" she greeted politely with a bow. She was surprised she didn't stutter.

"…" Still, nothing came out. Speak dammit! He was just staring at her, lovestrucked.

"I'm sorry I'm 40 minutes late, I didn't notice the time.. Neji niisan told me he has practice today so you're the one who'll walk with me for the meantime…" she said, as she approached the bench and picked up her shoulder bag. Unusual, but she sure talked a lot.

Deidara's gaze followed her moves. As she approached the bench, their distance got closer. He was able to look at her face in a closer view; he felt his heart beating faster and faster.

"Wait, I'll carry those books for you, un…" he managed to blurt out. He noticed the thick books she's trying to carry. Wait, he talked, yes, he talked. He was happy. He felt really happy. For a moment there he felt like a little kid, learning to speak his first words for the first time.

"Th… Thank you…" their fingers almost touched as the artist took the thick books from her hands. Weird though, they had the closest distance, they looked at each other for a moment, and well, both found themselves in a deep blush.

"…" I still haven't apologized, I still haven't apologized… the thought annoyed him, but maybe this isn't the best time to talk about that. But wait, he'll drive her home, what if he never gets the chance to say sorry? He has all the time in the world, but not all the time with her. A quick and stupid thought suddenly occurred in his mind.Hmm, she doesn't know I have a car right? An idiotic plan, he'll lie. He'll leave his car on the school's parking lot for the meantime. He decided that he'll walk her home just to spend a little more time talking to her and spending more time getting to know her. I'll leave my car here, un. But once I managed to finish walking her home, I'll just go back to school and use my car to return home. Yep, he's crazy. But he wouldn't lose anything anyway.

"Let's go then, un… you got all your things now?"

"…Hai…"

They walked across the main street of their village without saying a word to each other. Deidara knew that he's wasting a lot of precious time, but the two of them, walking together, without even saying anything to each other, it seems perfectly alright. Everything seems so fine, but time's running out. This may never happen ever again. He has to talk o her now.

"Listen, Hinata… the incident a while ago at the cafeteria, I know you're mad at me, un. But I'm really sorry. I sincerely apologize. I didn't mean for it to happen…" he stopped walking when he said it. He said it. Yes, he finally said it.

"…" there was no reply from the Hyuuga. But she stopped.

"…" He thought she didn't listen, but she looked back, and she smiled.

"It's okay, I didn't think about that incident a lot anyway… You don't have to apologize; you haven't done anything in the first place. It was an accident, It's absolutely fine…" she said it with those honest look in her eyes. The light of the setting sun shone perfectly at her. He suddenly remembered the painting he made that day. It was really beautiful. And yeah, she really is beautiful.

"…"

"…"

"I guess you're not the kind of person who holds grudges, un. If it wasn't you who got spilled over by that drink, I'd be facing blackmails and threats by now…"

"…" She didn't say anything, but he heard her giggle. This made him happy somehow. And his heart was skipping with joy. They continued walking. The sunset wasn't in sight, but both of them looked at the wonderfully drifting clouds and were satisfied. They had an unfortunate first meeting during lunch time, and they had their first official introductions just a few minutes ago, yet why did it feel like they already knew each other for a long time? Hinata admits she feels comfortable around this guy. And Deidara, who was feeling uneasy a while ago, now also feels comfortable around her as time passed.

They finally arrived at the Hyuuga's house. Hinata didn't have to tell Deidara where her house is, he already knew it. He used to walk with Neji right?

"Thanks…" she said before she opened the gate.

"Anytime…" he replied, he wanted to say 'it was nice walking you home, I wish I could walk again with you the next time…' but it would surely sound awkward.

She finally went inside the house. He watched her go inside. This was one of the great moments that happened in his life. Few words were spoken, but he's happy with the way things are. He wished they had a longer road to walk though, but it didn't matter. He just found his newest inspiration, not by an unidentified painting of a student under a tree, but by a female junior student whose name is Hinata.

Too bad he couldn't see her all the time. That would mean he'll suffer in silence majority of his life. Perhaps if Neji asks him another favor, the suffering would lessen, and he would really be hoping for that. He knew he can still see her around campus, but when he thought about it, it really didn't matter. If he wouldn't be able to see her a lot, that would mean he would think about her a lot. And well, he can live with that. Thinking about someone you admire and someone you love are two different stories. But he didn't know the school club was also another story.

(A/N): End of chapter. Lol, this chapter is the side effect of reading too much Paulo Coelho's books and Stephanie Meyer books. Reviews though pleaseXD

Next chapter: Chapter 13: The fourth years' seminar